So, it’s been a great summer and fall. But, now it’s time to tuck your lawn away for the winter. There are a few things you should do in the late fall to get your lawn ready for a long winter’s nap. Winterizing lawns allows the grass to awaken next spring in great shape. And, it saves you time repairing and reviving the grass in the spring.
Here are the basic steps to winterize the lawn:
As fall arrives, reseed areas as needed. Fall is a great time for new grass seeds to take root. It also eliminates areas for weeds to grow in the spring.
Fertilize one more time with a high nitrogen fertilizer to encourage root growth. Lawn and garden stores have an ample supply of Winterizer fertilizer. It is perfectly formulated for this purpose.
Rake leaves and debris off your lawn in the fall. Be aggressive and rake out any areas where heavy thatch has built up.
After the lawn has stopped growing, and before the snow flies, give your lawn one more cutting. Lower the mower deck. Then, cut the lawn to about one inch. We like to do the final mowing with a bagger to pick up cut grass, stray leaves, and other debris. We do this to leave fewer places for snow mold to develop.
Snow mold is common in areas where snow cover lasts for several weeks or more. It harbors in your lawn under the snow. Organic debris left on your lawn offers a home for Snow mold to grow and thrive. More on Snow mold.
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